Denver, COThai

A chef-driven LoHi room where the owners blend cooking from western and northern Thailand, turning out khao soi kai and curries alongside a polished cocktail list. Repeat reader-poll wins reflect a loyal following, and the bar program gives it a night-out feel beyond the usual Thai counter.

A Laotian-owned, no-frills kitchen favoring northern Thai flavors, known for genuinely spicy tom kha, larb, and green curry. It trades polish for heat and authenticity, and regulars come for exactly that, ordering the heat dialed up and the papaya salad pounded to order.

Carries the name and legacy of Lily Chittivej's original 1962 restaurant, widely credited as the first Thai restaurant in the United States, now under different ownership at a new City Park West address. A living link to a piece of American dining history.

Chef Noy Farrell has run the kitchen since 1994, making nearly everything from scratch, including the coconut milk for her curries, with produce from the family garden. It moved to South Broadway after two decades in Englewood, carrying its from-scratch approach and loyal following along with it.

Known for a six-level heat index diners can dial up or down across papaya salad, curries, and noodle dishes. With locations on South Broadway and East Colfax, it turns spice into a bit of an endurance test for those who want it.